Ice Fishing in Canada – a couple days with Paul & Debbie

Back home from the All Canada Shows and with most of the paperwork caught up, Debbie and I decided to head up to camp for a couple days of ice fishing in Canada at Woman River Camp.

Of course winter decided to show up just before we left Dryden. Temperatures were predicted to be around -14C (7F) during the day and -24C (-11F) at night. Not bad but the wind was suppose to be bluster between 20-30 km/h (12-19mph). Holy buckets a brisk windchill.  Not typical of ice fishing in Canada

A Grouse staying warm in the snow

Unable to leave Dryden until Wednesday afternoon, we decided to spend the night with friends in Ear Falls. A nice meal, good conversation, and a great hockey game on the tube made for a relaxing evening. the next morning, we grabbed some bait and headed to Woman River Camp. The South Bay Road is always in amazing shape in the winter.  We spotted three Grouse on the trip. It wasn’t long and we had the sleds unloaded from the trailer.  I gave Debbie the honours of busting trail into camp. I soon followed after loading the boggan with our supplies. There was about two feet of snow on the ground and very grain like.  Which was nice for shoveling off the deck.

When I got to the cabin, Debbie already had a fire blazing, heating up the cabin. It takes about 8 hours to really warm up the walls.  With the gear unloaded and Debbie tending the fire, I headed back out to the road to turn the truck and trailer around and check the gear before heading out to a lake. Debbie had lunch ready when I got back to the cabin. After a quick bite, we changed into dry clothes and headed back to the truck. Ready for some ice fishing.  Timber loves the running in and out of camp!

We trailer the sleds about 10km back down South Bay road to the trail leading to  “The Stomach”. Some days we will sled from camp but due

to timing and Timber tagging along, it is faster taking the truck.  The sled ride takes about 15 minutes.   Lots of moose and wolf tracks crisscrossing the trail. Timber managed to keep up for a kilometer then I stopped and loaded him in my lap. Upon arriving at the lake, I pull out the Jiffy Auger and I punch a bunch of holes. Debbie helps set up the hut and propane heater and I get her settled in and fishing.  I continue to set up the tip ups and before I am done, she is yelling fish on! 4:05pm. We sure got a late jump on the day. For the next hour and a half, the action was fast and furious. At the end of the day it was Debbie 7, Paul 6. Debbie also had the biggest Walleye in at 22″.  She didn’t catch any Walleye under 18″ and only two of mine were small enough to keep.

I caught fish on the tipups using a slip weight and a red hook tipped with a 2 inch minnow. Debbie and I both jigged Northland TackleBuckshot Rattle Spoons, tipped with a minnow. Debbie was bit off once and you

Great ice fishing in Canada

can see the disappointment on her face on Facebook.  It was a cool day but the steady action kept you warm!

Back at the cabin, we had dinner and headed to bed early.  Friday morning the thermometer read -24C and the top of the trees were blowing.  Debbie has an itch to join the 40″ plus ice fishing club.  She came close last year.  We decided to head back to “The Stomach”.  It is actually a bellowed out part of the Trout River and looks like a stomach on a map.  We made it on the lake by 12:30 today.  Set up and of course Debbie is catching before I have the tipups set.  The action was a little slower but consistent.  I decided to use dead Ciscos under one tipup (the siren) and live bait on the other (tinker bell).  Debbie was quite content to fish her line in the hut and I stayed busy managing the other lines.  The Siren, when the tipup goes off, a siren starts blaring indicating a hit.  Great for when the tipup is not visible from your fishing location.  Well they sure liked the Ciscos.  I managed a 30 plus Northern Pike on that line.  I didn’t measure any fish unless in the hut.  With the windchill, it was best for the fish to put them back in the water as quickly as possible.

My last fish of the day was another 30 plus Northern Pike.  I managed to catch it on my new rod and reel.  A medium action rod with a fly reel spooled with 6lbs test.  Yes a fly reel.  When we participated in the St.Paul Ice Fishing Show, last December, I was on the hunt for some level wind ice fishing reels.  I was tired of open face reels with poor drags and their tough reeling in cold weather.  Well Frabill  had a beautiful little fly reel combo.  The only problem was the rod was an ultra light for panfish.  To my surprise, Debbie gave me a fly reel for Christmas and the rest is history.  No worries about a little water freezing things up.  When you leave it in the rod holder to attend to a tipup, the clicker announces a hit and lets the drag out.  Of course I noticed a couple of drawbacks.  Most importantly, you need to hold the reel when setting the hook as your hand is the reel drag.  Since there is no bail, you must pull the line off the reel by hand.  So it is not designed for fishing Lake Trout in 60ft of water.  It is my new favourite reel for fishing anything in depths up to 20ft.

Final score for the day was Debbie 11 (she finally started coming out of the warm hut to grab a few tipups) I ended up with 10 fish.  We saved a total of 5 Walleye and a Northern Pike for a family fish fry with Valerie-Ann back in Dryden.  Timber decided to stay in the warm cabin the second day and greeted us with a wagging tail upon our return.

Our goal for day two was big Northern Pike.  Two in the thirties made it a success.    Due to the Pike being more active, the Walleye were a

little more scarce.  Less jigging and more pausing seemed to work best for the Walleye.  Water depth was between 5 and 8 feet and that includes the 30 inches of ice.

While finding links for this blog, I found a new lure I would love to try.  I will have to search it out in the states when we head down for the All Canada Show in Minneapolis this upcoming weekend.  I’m sure this lure will reduce bite offs and give a  little more freedom to the minnow.  I will divulge the secret bait once I surpass Debbie in our numbers competition!

Overall, we had a great relaxing trip ice fishing in Canada!  With the above average temperatures throughout most of the midwest U.S.A., we

The whole lake to ourselves!

know most of you will not see ice this winter.  If you have the time and want to experience some great ice fishing in Canada, give us a call 1-866-347-4972.  We will put a package together for you!

Keep your line tight!

Moss.

Ice Fishing in Canada is Incredible!

Like us on Facebook for a chance to win a free trip for two!

Ear Falls Ontario Fishing Camp

Remote, drive-in camp located in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, Woman River Camp is off the beaten path, resulting in the best of both worlds – remote and easy to travel to.

With 80% repeat guests, few others have the chance to enjoy one of the best kept secrets in the north!

St.Paul Ice Fishing Show

Woman River Camp is participating in the 2011 St. Paul Ice Fishing Show.

The St.Paul Ice Fishing Show is held at the Saint Paul River Centre.  Right beside the Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild.  A excellent time to view new products and gear up for the upcoming ice fishing season.

Stop by our Woman River Camp booth and set up an ice fishing trip to Canada.  Ice fish where the monsters live!  We are in booth C1 up in the lobby.  Woman River Camp is running an awesome show special for a limited time.  Come down and book the ice fishing trip you have been dreaming about.  They make a great Christmas gift!

Woman River Camp will also be booking summer vacations and hunting trips.  We already have weeks booked solid so don’t delay and contact us today!

St.Paul Ice Fishing Show

December 2, 1:00pm – 9:00pm

December 3, 10:00am – 7:00pm

December 4, 10:00am – 5:00pm

St. Paul RiverCentre
175 Kellogg Boulevard West
St. Paul, MN 55102

We’ll see you there!

 Ice Fishing Canada Style.

July has come and gone.  A very dry month for Northwestern Ontario.  A beautiful time to be on the water enjoying the fishing and scenery!  The Loons have been very vocal this past month.  Many a moose sitings along with Black Bear, Timber Wolves and even a few Woodland Caribou were spotted.  Lots of Bald Eagles too.  With low water levels comes less biting insects.  Overall a great month to be in Canada!

Water Levels

The Woman River Chain is as low as we have seen in years.  Rocks that haven’t busted through the surface have birds perched on them and the weed growth is amazing.  The low water has given us a chance to clean out some logs on the way into Rosen Lake.  Unfortunately the water continues to drop and we were forced to make Rosen bay and lake off limits.  Water levels will need to rise up dramatically before we can get back in there.  Spot Lake has also become somewhat of a challenge to access.  The mud flat before the creek must be navigated with precision so the boat isn’t beached.  Coreless and Nelson Lakes, a long bow rope is required and sandals or rubber boots.  Boats bottom out on the sand well before reaching shore.  But we are having great success fishing no matter what!

Walleye Fishing

Water is low and the sun has been high and bright.  We have weedy Walleye.  Fish a weed edge and catch fish.  Fish a windy weed edge and catch more fish.  With the bright warm weather, the walleye are in the shade of the weeds.  The fish found on humps and points are feeding more in the early morning and late evening.  Minnows, leeches and crawlers.  Calm days, fish a slip bobber.  We have found some crayfish in eater size fish bellies.  Sparklel blue jigs are key this week.

Northern Pike are too in the weeds.  We have started to see more 40 inch fish being caught along the weeds.  Lots of crayfish in the table size Pike.  Spoons and spinnerbaits have  been working well.

Smallmouth  are on the prowl.  Lots of big bronzebacks being caught.  Beetle spins and smaller baits.  Along with Little Cleos.

Yellow Perch have been on a few fishermen’s table.  They are feeding well with some 13″ers being caught.

We still have a few openings left for the summer.  Short stays or full weeks.  It’s still not too late for a great vacation!

Yellow Perch have been doing well this week.  Fish for Perch and catch Pike and Walleye.  A little chunk of crawler.

Lake Trout – few anglers are attempting their hand at Lake Trout.  So I really don’t have a report for them.

Ear Falls – earlier in the year we reported the Village Corner was out of business.  Well A-1 Foods also closed last year in Ear Falls.  Wilson’s Fine Foods can be found in the Ear Falls strip mall.  They are open Monday- Saturday.  With the extra firefighters in town some perishable goods like milk are hard to come by some days.  Stop in Dryden at Safeway for a great selection.  You could also say hello Valerie-Ann if she is working.

We are praying for rain and hoping August fishing is as good or better than our July bite.

Be safe on the water.  Wear a life vest.

Thanks,

Moss

A great Smallmouth Bass

I got another one Dad!

Wow another 40" Pike for Carol

Canada Fishing Trip

Are you still looking for that great family getaway?  Or maybe a special father/son trip.  Think about a Canada Fishing Trip.  Woman River Camp is the place where you can put your feet up and enjoy Canada’s great outdoors on your own schedule.  Woman River Camp is off the beaten path and remote enough to have great fishing without the pressure of a lot of boats.  On your Canada Fishing Trip to Woman River Camp, enjoy a day trip to one of our many fabulous portage lakes.  Fishing and fun for everyone!  It’s not too late to enjoy a Canada Fishing Trip this year.  A very affordable fishing trip with great value!  Woman River Camp has the following dates available.

July 16-23

July 30 – August 6

August 6 – 13

August 13-20

August 20 – 27

August 27 – September 3

September 3- 10

September 10 – 17

September 17 – 24.

Let’s take a Canada Fishing Trip this year!  Contact Paul or Debbie and we will put together a Canada Fishing Trip to fit your schedule.  Short stays are welcome.  Even overlapping weeks where available.

Fishing Report

Fishing has been incredible this summer.  Monster Northern Pike, Trophy Walleye, football size Smallmouth Bass.  Enjoy a shore lunch, and view the Bald Eagles.  A terrific way to spend your holidays.  The bite has been hot lately.  The Mayflies are done hatching and the fish are being caught on the windy side of the lake on rocks, points and weed edges.  I haven’t fished any mid-lake structure yet but I am sure the fish are there too.  They are everywhere!  Earlier in the week, we had a boat land 10 Walleye over 25 inches”.  The summer feed is on!  The Smallmouth are moving off their beds and feeding.  The Monster Northern Pike are attacking the smaller fish on your line and the Perch are coming out of hiding.  Plenty of Moose sitings and of course the Bald Eagles are spotted everywhere!  Water temperatures are pushing 77 F and the weed growth is great!

We are busy taking advantage of the great weather.  Staining boardwalks and painting boats.  Water levels are dropping….we are in need of a couple days of good rain.  We have a fire restriction in place at the present time but those looking for a fantastic shorelunch just need to use one of our propane cookers along the lakes.

Cheers!

It’s not too late to come enjoy a great Canada Fishing Trip with us at Woman River Camp!

Canada Fishing Trip

Village Corner in Vermillion Bay, Ontario

Last Labour Day weekend, the Village Corner in Vermillion Bay, Ontario, had a fire and is no longer in business.  Most guests will recognize the store at the intersection where highway 105 begins north to Ear Falls and Woman River Camp.  This is an important spot for the people heading north coming from the east (Dryden).  For a washroom break, there is a rest area on the south side of Hwy 17 overlooking Eagle Lake.  Just as you come into the 60km zone.  For fuel, a person will have to travel past Hwy 105 approximately 3km to Bobby’s, Shell station on the south side of the road.  Otherwise slip into Dryden for fuel.  Have a safe trip up and enjoy Canada!

Thanks,

Moss.

Canada Moose Hunting Trip

Still looking for a great Canada Moose Hunting trip?  Woman River Camp has access to a few more bull tags for this season.  For more information regarding a Canada Moose Hunting Trip, contact Paul via email.  info@womanriver.com.

Archery and rifle opportunities.  With or without a guide.  Excellent success rate.  3 Pope and Young moose in the past 5 years.  2nd largest ever in Ontario by bow!  Contact me today for a fall hunt in 2011.

Fishing Report

Fishing has been very good so far this year.  We are seeing plenty of 25 inch Walleye.  People are still landing 40+ Northern Pike and the Smallmouth Bass are pounding a lot of different tackle.  Lately the eyes are coming along weed edges in depths from 4-12 feet.  Lots of sunny days so the weed growth ought to be heavy this year.  Still a minnow bite.  I hope to be back on the water fishing sooner than later.

Outpost Update

The place is ready for some appliances and beds.  Construction of a new dock is underway.  I hope it is finished by Friday!

We still have some great dates available in July and August for fishing.  A great time for a family fishing trip!

When the fish are there but so are the snags, switch to a slip bobber and save your tackle.

Have a great week!

Moss.

Canada Moose Hunting Trip

What a week for Walleye Fishing Canada

Guests at Woman River Camp had a fantastic time on the water this past week.  Lots of monster Northern Pike with two 44 inchers caught on the main lake and a 46″ on a portage lake. Friday morning Donna and Darrell Adams boated three Northern Pike over 40″ before noon!  Dave Dalman landed a monster 46 inch Pike on a portage lake.

What a week for Walleye Fishing Canada. A great bite on the opening day.  The largest of the week was caught by Denise Slonicker.  A hawg measuring 28 inches.  Some guys had a tough time catching eater size fish.  Numerous 25 inchers.  Jigging and casting shoreline worked well.

Smallmouth Bass were a good bite.   Chris Clark and Steve Slonicker each caught and released 19″ fish.

Lake Trout fishing was sporadic but some nice 30 inch fish were caught by Chellie and Gary.  Confederation Lake trips produced more consistently.

Special mention to Chris Clark who landed a 24 1/2 inch Whitefish and a 13 inch Perch.

The main lake produced the best but there was a couple of portage lakes that produced Monster Pike.

Hot lures for the week were of course the jig and minnow and a 5 inch Rapala Husky Jerk.

Nice double header!

Springtime Lake Trout wreek havoc on your line!

Walleye were along the weed edges.

The women guests at Woman River Camp this past week sure displayed they could go toe to toe with the men.  Overall a great week of fishing.

What a week for Walleye Fishing

There was 18 inches of snow in the driveway when I came into camp on Wednesday. Today it is suppose to rain up to 15mm. That will help the ice melt. I was still walking on the ice yesterday with no problem. Launched the pontoon. lol We have the phone working and the internet. Debbie has the lodge spotless and I have assessed the winter damage.

A couple Mallards showed up yesterday occupying the 3ft of open water by the boat ramp.  They had a nice feed of corn.  The Pussy willows are starting to come out and I have seen a few butterflies and insects.  Spring is not far away!

21 Days until Walleye Opener

Looks like we need more snow guard!

Timber stealing the nose off last week's snowman

Springtime Tune Up.

You wouldn’t believe how many times I hear a comment like  “I haven’t been in my tackle box since last year’s Canada vacation”.  Now I enjoy selling new fishing line to fishermen.  But we don’t sell fishing reels and I too am a backyard mechanic who you don’t want working on your outboard.  Even if it is a simple fix, most likely I won’t have the part you need.  Resulting is a trip to town and lost fishing time.  A Springtime Tune Up will have you ready for the water.

Be sure to conduct your Springtime tune up before your first fishing trip of the year. Make sure it is all in working condition to avoid those bummer breakdowns or worst yet losing your trophy of a lifetime boat side!  Here is my springtime tune up checklist to go over before venturing out fishing.  Print it off and check it off as you go through it.  Be sure to write down any supplies you will need to replace or restock.  It’s fun shopping for tackle.  lol

Rods & Reels

• Change your fishing line on all the reels you plan on using.  Be sure to drop off your used line for recycling.  Don’t just throw it in the trash.  Garbage picking birds sometimes use it in their nests and it can lead to strangling young birds.  I go with 6-8lbs test for walleye and 10-14lbs for Northern Pike and Lake Trout.  Go with 8lb test for an all around rod and reel.  Fireline with a fluorocarbon leader.

• Be sure your drags and bail springs are working properly.  I loosen the drag on all my reels at the end of each fishing day.  This helps extend the drag’s life.  Just remember to reset it before your first cast the next day!

• Make sure your reel is lubed (don’t over grease) and there are no nicks on the spools or bails to damage your line.  The simplest thing to do is take it in to a repair shop and let them clean it.  No surprises when you are on the Woman River Chain with a trophy fish on the end of your line!

• Check over your rods for cracks and be sure to check the eyelets for damage.  Use a piece of old nylon pantyhose to run through each eyelet to see if there are any snags.  Use a very fine piece of sandpaper to remove the snags. The same goes for the nicks on your spools.

• If you need to replace a rod or reel, be sure they balance well together.  Reels have a smooth drag and instant anti-reverse.  Spend a little extra on the rod and go for a one-piece rod with the rod extending all the way to the butt of the handle for the best sensitivity.

Tackle

• Check your terminal tackle like snap swivels, floats, weights and leaders.  Do you have enough?

• Go over each lure and clean old line off the eyelets, replace or sharpen hooks and inspect snap rings.  Be sure the barbs on the treble hooks are bent over.

• Spinner bait skirts in good shape.

• Plenty of jigs in sizes and colours.

• Tackle boxes themselves in good shape.

• Did you buy that new lucky lure?  Now is the time to bend over the barbs on the treble hooks.

• Is your Ontario Outdoor Card in our tackle box?  Do you have your boater safety card?

Springtime Tune Up for Boat and Accessories

• Check for leaks.

• Good drain plug.

• Batteries topped up with distilled water (even maintenance free batteries can have water evaporate)

• Charge all batteries and then check their voltage a week later and see if they are holding a charge.

• Electric trolling motors in good shape and have no line under the prop.

• Bilge pump works and the impeller is clean.

• Marker lights work.

• Life jackets and throw cushions are in good shape.  A life jacket with a rip is no longer usable.

• Safety kit is stocked with a waterproof flashlight, 50ft floating throw rope, pea less whistle, and a bailer (container for all).  Be sure to check regulations for each different size watercraft at http://www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/equipment.htm

• Paddles and good catch and release rubber net are in the boat and in good shape.

• Fish measuring device in the boat.

• Anchor and rope.

• Hinges and storage areas all in good shape.

• Livewell pump and drain working properly.

• Boat cover, transom tie-downs all in good shape.

• Steering and throttle linkage working properly.

• Fish finder and transducers working properly

Outboard Motor

• Change or at least check spark plugs for proper gap.  Remember new plugs still need proper gap.

• Change oil and filter in four stroke motors.  Remember engine oil expires after 6 months whether it was used or not.  An open container of oil will loose it viscosity on the shelf after 6 months.  Same goes for in your engine.

Lubricate linkages and grease proper locations.  Refer to owner’s manual.

• Change lower unit oil.  If it is milky, have the lower unit pressure checked and repair accordingly.

• Check over the prop and have repaired if all blades are not the same size or bent out of shape.

• Remove fishing line from around the prop shaft.  Fishing line and unbalanced props lead to seals leaking causing water to mix with lower unit oil and premature failure of a lower unit.  Cheaper to remove the fishing line when it gets tangled in your prop or to fix the prop than to repair a lower unit.

• Does your kill switch work.

• All electrical is working and charging.

• Do you have a spare prop.

• Does your water pump work? You must tank test or put your boat in a body of water to test this.  Do not use a pair of water muffs.  They will force water through your engine and give you a false sense that your water pump is working properly.

• Fresh fuel in your tank?   Fuel these days with ethanol absorbs water.  Keep ethanol content under 10%.   For the minimal amount of fuel you put in your outboard, add a stabilizer or SeaFoam.

• Check over fuel lines and wiring to ensure there are no cracks or shorts.

• Take your boat for a good long test run, wide open and trolling to be sure the carburetor is clean and the motor is running properly.

Trailer

• Inspect metal and U bolts for cracks.  Scrape the old paint off and have a closer look.

• Suspension  is not fatigued or broken.

• Lights all work to the vehicle you are towing with.  Remember the number one trouble spot with lights is usually the white ground wire.

• Check wheel bearings and seals.  I recommend “bearing buddies” but you should still check the bearings annually for pitting and wear.

• Inspect tires for broken belts or severe cracks.

• Check tire pressure, including the spare.

• Check all wheel lugs and be sure to have a jack and proper wrench to change a tire.  Be sure to spin the wheel lugs off so you know they are not rusted on.  It sucks to be on the side of the road with a flat in the rain and rusted on wheel lugs.

• Transom saver working properly.

• Trailer leg and latching mechanism functioning properly.  If you have a removable leg, remove it for traveling instead of tilting.  It will last much longer.

• Tie down straps in good shape.

• Safety chains are in good shape and the proper length.

• I see lots of guys use their boat trailers to haul extra gear and food.  A great idea.  It is always cheaper to tow a trailer and pile the people in one vehicle instead of driving two vehicles.  Just remember to make sure the trailer is rated for the extra weight.  Don’t ever try and haul a trailer with a vehicle that is too small for the job.  You are always best to put as much gear in/on the vehicle and not the trailer.

This checklist can be performed by you or have a professional go over things.  I know myself, I will save some money and do most myself but when it comes to bait casting reels, I leave it to the professionals.  Once you have the checked it all off.  Go fishing and test it all out.  It is a real bummer to haul your equipment all the way to Canada and have it malfunction.  Preventative maintenance is the first step in having a successful fishing trip!

Let me know if I missed anything.

Have fun and be safe on the water.

Moss

Springtime tune up is a must before hitting the water.

Springtime tune up